Africana Studies

Berklee's Africana Studies curriculum initiative fuses the study of music with an examination of the historical and cultural contexts in which the music was created. Africana Studies courses act as bridges between several pedagogical areas at Berklee, including liberal arts, core music, music business, and performance.

Launched in 2006, the initiative comprises four foundation courses: two sections of Africana Studies: the Sociology of Black Music in American Culture and one section each of the Theology of American Popular Music and Black Biographies: Meanings, Music Lives. Several courses taught prior to the launch of the initiative are also gathered under the Africana Studies umbrella, including the Music and Life of Bob Marley, West African Drum and Dance Ensemble, and Vocal R&B Styles Lab.

The Africana Studies initiative is directed by professor William Banfield. Each year, Banfield and a Berklee team produce a series of concerts, clinics, and other events titled Africana Studies Music Programming. Return to this section of our website for updates and links for more information.